Parimarjan Negi – My aim is much higher for next year

Jan 3, 2011

Negi aims to break into 2650 on FIDE rating – The Times of India

After ending an otherwise disappointing year on a high by winning the National Chess Championship in his third attempt, India’s youngest Arjuna Awardee Parimarjan Negi now aims to break into the 2650 bracket on the FIDE rating list next year.

The 17-year-old Delhi boy went through a rough patch this year, losing titles in Dubai, Poland and at the Commonwealth Championships after being in the lead, but with the national title triumph, Negi became the first Indian qualifier for next year’s World Cup, to be held at Khanty Mansisyk in Russia.

Currently ranked around 2620 in the FIDE rating, Negi not only won his maiden national title, which had been eluding him since 2007, but also became the first player from the city to clinch the top honour.

“Finding form after a rather disappointing 2010, it obviously feels nice. I was playing better towards the end (of the year) and that helped me win my first national title. This win is satisfying given the fact that I lost titles at major international events throughout the year.”

“But my aim is much higher for next year. First of all I want to break into the 2650 bracket on the rating list and then look forward to the World Junior Championship and World Cup at the end,” Negi said in an interview.